Perambulator.



I Q7 W 7 G. A. HOWARD & G. L. SLATE-R.

' PEBAMBULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR.9 19H.

1,266,471. Patented .13....1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G. A. HOWARD & G. L. SLATER. PERAMBULATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR.9, 1914.

. 1 ,266,47 1 Patented Ma'y14,1918.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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G. A. HOWARD &.G. L. SLATER. PERAIVIBULATOR. APPLICATION man mm. 1914.

1,266,471. Patented May14,19 18.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

UNITED TATES PATENT @FFIQF.

GEORGE A. HOWARD AND GEORGE L. SLATER, OF

BUCHANAN, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOBS OF ONE-HALF TO FRANK S. WHITMAN, OF BUCHANAN, MICHIGAN; MAY D. WHITMAN ADMINISTRATRIX OF SAID FRANK S. WHITMAN, DECEASED.

PERAMBULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1918.

Application filed April 9, 1914. Serial No. 830,645.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, GEORGE A. HOWARD and GEORGE L. SLATER, both citizens of the United States, and both residing at Buchanan, in the county of Berrien and State of Michigan, have ointly invented new and useful Improvements in Perambulators, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in perambulators.

It is one of the principal objects of our invention to provide a device of the class described and which may at times be used also as a chair.

It is a further object of our invention to provide such a device in which the change from one use to another is easily and quickly made.

It 'is a further object of our invention to provide such a device in which eiiicient support is given both laterally and otherwise when thedevice is used as a chair.

It is a further object of our invention to provide such an article that is economical to manufacture, efficient in use and attractive in appearance.

Further objects and benefits of our invention will be apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings taken in connection with the appended claims.

We have described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings a perambulato-r disclosing our invention by way of example, it being clearly understood that numerous changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit of our invention or exceeding the scope of the appended claims, the form of the invention herein disclosed being merely one preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a perambulator constructed in accordance with our invention;

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the device used as a high-chair;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 4- is a detailed view in rear elevation showing the, operating mechanism;

Fig. 5 is a detail in perspective showing the seat member; and

Fig. 6 is a detail in perspective showing the removable tray.

Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the following specification and the several'iigures of the accompanying drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, the perambulator comprises in general a light metal skeleton framework having a pair of large wheels suitable for perambulator purposes, and a chair member. This frame work has on either side forward and rear uprights 7 8. These uprights are connected at their lower ends by a brace 9, to which each is riveted At their upper ends the uprights are curved in to meet at a common. point. and the two pair are connected by a wooden bar or, handle 10 by which the perambulator is propelled. Connecting the rear uprights 8, and riveted thereto, is an upper cross-bar 11 and a lower cross-bar 12. The framework is further strengthened by a transverse brace 13 connecting the forward uprights 7 near the bottom thereof. Connecting the upper and lower cross-bars 10 and 11 are two braces 14, 15, which are riveted at their ends to the cross-bars. Bearing in the brace member 9 is an axle 16 to which a pair of perambulator wheelsli', 18 are attached.

The chair member (Fig. 5) comprises a seat 19, aback 20, a foot-rest 21 and arms 22. The arms 22 are bolted to supports 23 which are in turn bolted to the seat 19. Downwardly extending brackets 2 L support the foot-rest 21. The seat 19 and back 20 are preferably provided with leather or padded cushions 25, 26. Secured to the back 20 at either side thereof and extending forwardly, is a yoke 27 embracing a pin 27 on the arm 22 and forming therewith a sliding pivotal connection between the back and the arms, the function of which is hereinafter referred to.

It will be noted that in this embodiment of our invention the chair member, comprising the seat, back, arms and foot-rest is a unified structure, separate from and independent of the framework. It is of such dimensions as to fit between the uprights and it is supported on the framework in upper or lower positions, as will hereinafter appear.

At the rear end of each arm 22 is a hook 28 adapted to fit over either crossbar 11 or 12. When it is desired to use the device as the usual perambulator, or a low chair, the chair member is hung .on the lower crossbar 12 (Fig. 1). In this position the forward part of the chair member is supported by the transverscbrace 13. Associated with the latter is a fiat spring 13, which is of substantially the same length as the brace 13, and which is riveted to the same at each end (Fig. 3). The spring is held over the brace 13 by bolts 13 which slide up and down in suitable apertures in the brace as the spring is depressed or extended. As the seat rests on this spring the shocks and jars which would otherwise make'the seat uncomfortable are largely taken up by the action of the spring.

Auxiliary means are provided for givlng the device stationary support, temporarily or when used as a chair, as the case may be, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Associated with each wheel is a pair of supports 31, 32, which, when in supporting position as shown in Fig. 2, extend, one in front of, andthe other to the rear of the perambulator wheel, thus providing with the wheel, a three-point contact support. These supports are inside of the wheels so thatthe three contact points are not in a straight line. By this construction a firm support in a forward and back direction is provided, and the lateral support is likewise extremely eflicient. As a result, not only is the clevice held stationary, but, in addition, there is little or no danger of its toppling over.

Support 31 is pivoted to the brace 9 at 33, and support 32 is pivoted to the brace at 34. Links 35 and 36 are hingedly connected to supports 31 and 32, as at 37 38. Links 35 and 36 are curved to meet a common point, and the links on either side are connected at these common points by a rod or bar 39. It will be apparent that ifthe bar 39 is moved downward, links 35, 36 will cause the supports 31, 32 to fold up wardly to the position shown-in Fig. 1, and on the other hand, if bar 39 is moved upwardly supports 31, 32 will be swung down into supporting position. The means for operating the bar39 is clearly shown in Fig. 4:. Riveted to the bar 39 is a yoke 40. A link 41 is pivoted to the bar 39 on one side of the yoke 40 and at its upper end is pivotally connected to a lever 412. A strap 43 is secured to the link 41 on the other side of the yoke 10, at 44-, and the upper end of this strap 43 and also the upper end of the link 4-1 are pivotally connected to the lever i2 at 4:5. The strap 13 and link 41, being on opposite sides of the yoke 40, keep the latter from tipping or getting out of alinement in operation. Lever 42 is fulcrumed at a lug 16 on the upright 8. At the other end of the lever is a knob or handle 47 for convenience in operation. It will be apparent that the upward or downward movement of the bar 39 is eflected by an upward or downward movement of the lever 42. In order to lock handle 10. Furthermore as the operating means move substantially Within the limits of the framework there is no part project'- ing out from the device, the objections to which are obvious.

When it is desired to utilize the device as a high-chair, the supports are moved into supporting position as above described, and the chair member is removed-from its lower position and is hung upon the upper crossbar 11. On each upright 7 is a bracket 29, and on each side of the seat'19 at the forward part thereof is a hook-like member 30. v Whenthe chair member is in its upper position (Fig. 2) this member 30 embraces the upright 7 and rests upon the bracket 29, thereby providing support for the forward part of the seat. As the supports may be moved into or out of supporting position while the device isbeing, used as a high-chair, it may be readily wheeled up to or away from a table or about the house and again made stationary without removing the child.

When the device is used as a chair a tray 49 may be used in connection with the chair member to serve both as a support for toys and the like and as a means for preventing the child from falling out. The tray 19 has arms 50 which rest on the chair arms 22 and at the end of the arms 50 are hooks 51 by means of which the tray may be hooked on the cross-bar 11 as shown in Fig. 2.

For purposes of transportation or the like, the chair member may be readily and compactly packed within the framework. The back 26 is swung upward on the pivot until it is substantially parallel with the seat and then the yokes 27 may slide on the pins 27 until the back 26 rests on the arm. 22. The chair member may then be placed in the framework, the seat being parallel. with the rear thereof, and is held in place by resting in the transverse brace 13.

It will be seen from the above description that we have provideda perambulator in we have provided efficient means for supporting the device in'a stationary position, and such that the supporting members may be easily placed in operative or inoperative position and may be used at any time irrespective of the position of the chair, so that the perambulator may be used with high or low seat, or as a high or low chair, as desired. It will also be observed that the wheels are of large diameter, thus enabling the device, even though loaded, to be easily pushed or pulled over obstructions without lifting and without undue shocks and jars to the occupant or operator; also that the single pair of wheels are substantially centrally located with respect to the front and rear of the device so as to properly carry the load without imposing excessive burden on the operator when wheelin it about, and whereby larger wheels can be employed without projecting unduly beyond the forward and rearward limits of the frame-work, and the frame can be tipped to the rear for ready operation in its use as a perambulator. When the device is to be stationary the legs are thrown down in front of and to the rear of the wheels an appreciable distance so that it is impossible for the child to tip over in it, even when used as a high chair, and even though the child should lunge forward or backward as it is apt to do.

Our invention is thus intended as a perambulator which may be readily wheeled about out of doors, or allowed to remain in a standing stationary position, or folded up into compact form for odily transportation. At the same time it ossesses those features of construction permitting its use as a high chair, an article of furniture not found in many places where a child is apt to be taken, and when so used of movement about without removing the occupant.

Having thus described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A. childs perambulator comprising a light skeleton vertically elongated frame, a pair of large perambulator wheels located substantially at the middle of the lower end of said frame, a handle at the upper end of said frame for the operation, movement and handling of the perambulator, a seat between the upper and lower ends of the frame, a prop member pivotally mounted on the lower end of said frame forward of the axis of said wheels, said prop member being pivoted intermediate its length and having a portion movable about said pivot from a position in which it extends downwardly mounted on and forwardly to act as a prop to a position in which it extends upwardly from said pivot, said member having an arm extending in a different direction from said pivot from the direction in which said prop portion extends, a second prop member pivotally thelower end of said frame rearward of the axis of said wheels, said second prop member being pivoted intermediate its length and having a portion movable about said pivot from a position in which it extends downwardly and rearwardly to act as-a propto a position in which it extends upwardly from said pivot, said second prop having an arm extending in a diflerent'direction from 'said'pivot from the direction in which said prop portion extends, and means acting on said arms for moving said prop members from their first to their second positions, said means being operablefrom a position at the rear of the elongatedframe;

2. A childs perambulator comprising a light skeleton vertically elongated frame, a

pair 0f large perambulator wheels at the lower end of said frame, a handle at the upper end of said frame for the operation, movement and handling of the perambulator, a seat between the upper and lower ends of the frame, a prop member pivotally mounted on the lower end of said frame forward of the axis of said wheels, said prop member being pivoted intermediate its length and having a portion movable about said pivot from a position in which it extends downwardly and forwardly to act as a prop to a position in which it extends upwardly from said pivot, said member having an arm extending in a different direction from said pivot from the direction in which said prop portion extends, a second prop member pivotally mounted on thelower end of said frame rearward of the axis of said wheels, said sec- 0nd prop member being pivoted intermediate 7 its length and having a portion movable about said pivot from a position in which it extends downwardly and rearwardly to act as a prop to a position in which it extends upwardly from said pivot, said second prop having an arm extending in a different direction from said pivot from the direction in which said prop portion extends, and means acting on said arms for simultaneously moving said prop members from their first to their second positions, said,,; means being operable from a position adjacent said first handle, and at the rear of the elongated frame.

3. A childs perambulator comprising a light vertically elongated frame, a handle near the upper end of the frame for operation movement and handling of the perambulator, a movable seat, means for supporting said seat near the lower part of said frame, means for supporting said seat near the upper part of said frame when it is desired to use the device as a high-chair, a pair 0f large perambn'lator Wheels at the lower end of the frame, two props movably mounted at the lofwer end (if the trame, one :havin a portion Oren a in asu orting surfac e in the rear of aifi w heels nd :the ether having a port on for engaging a sup pOrting snriaee in front of said wheels, and means for moving said props frqmsupporting to non-.suppnrting positions, said means eing eperahle 'frQm .a position atthe upper end. Qf the elongated frame.

.4. A .child s perambulator comprising a light ske eton frame, a handle near the upper nd 0f h frame f r Operation, movement .andiha dling .o the perambnlator, a mo ab e ea an er supp ting s s a nea the lower part at said frame, means for supporting- ;said seat, near the upp part f sa f ame w en it-is desi ed t s h evi e a a igh-Q air,.theseat-in both of said positions extending'in sub stam tialiy the same general direction and with the back of said seat at the rear Qfthe frame, a pair Qf large perambulator Wheels at the lower end 91'' the frame, two preps moyably mounted at the lower end ,of the frame, me having a pnrtion or engaging-a supporting surface in the rear of said Wheels, and the other having a portion for engaging a supporting surface in front of yaidwheels, and means fer moving said props from supporting to non-supporting po..siti9 .1s, operable from a position adjacent said handle.

In Witness whereof, e have hereunto 811bscribed our names in the presence of tWo itnesses.

his a v enonen A- HOWARD- mark GEO-' L. SLATER. WVitnes'ses:

ALQNZO F. HoWE, WALTER E. SHOOP.

911 9;. of thiwatent may h obtained :lor five ent-s each, :by adslressingthe Gammissine o :late t nMn qit-D- Q 

